Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.
1. Don’t disturb me. I ....................... my homework.
We use the present continuous to talk about actions and situations that are happening at the moment of speaking.
2. ‘Where is John?’ ‘He ………………….. out five minutes ago.’
To say that something happened at a particular point of time in the past, we use the past simple tense.
3. The baby ...................... since morning.
To talk about an action or situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present, we use the present perfect continuous tense.
4. My son ..................... to be a doctor.
We use the simple present tense to talk about our likes, preferences, needs and wants.
5. The soup …………………. awful.
Taste is one of those verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form.
6. I ....................... him at the club yesterday.
The present perfect tense cannot be used with past time adverbs like yesterday or last year.
7. He used to visit us every week, but now he .......................
We use the simple present tense to talk about facts and habits.
8. The guests .....................; they are sitting in the garden.
Present perfect is the most common tense for giving news of recent events.
9. I know every scene in that film because I ..................... it several times.
We use the present perfect to talk about a past event whose effect is still felt in the present.
10. I have a friend who .......................... in a pub.
Answers
1. Don’t disturb me. I am doing my homework.
2. ‘Where is John?’ ‘He went out five minutes ago.’
3. The baby has been crying since morning.
4. My son wants to be a doctor.
5. The soup tastes awful.
6. I met him at the club yesterday.
7. He used to visit us every week, but now he rarely comes.
8. The guests have arrived; they are sitting in the garden.
9. I know every scene in that film because I have seen it several times.
10. I have a friend who works in a pub.
